Sydney FC will enter the second leg of their Champions League tie against Shandong Luneng with a vital away goal under their belt, and a home ground advantage. Follow all the live highlights and action coming out of Allianz Stadium on The Roar from 8pm (AEST).
A David Carney header in the first half last week was enough to earn the Sky Blues a draw on the road, in what has been a surprisingly dominant ACL campaign for a Sydney side that struggled in the A-League.
While they didn’t exactly walk away with a win, Sydney will be buoyed by the second leg being in front of the vocal home crowd.
However, coach Graham Arnold has urged his side not to be complacent, with only a draw technically needed.
“It’s extremely dangerous if you try to play for a draw and sit back. We know one way to play and that is to go forward” Arnold warned.
“We’re at home. We have to have the intention to win the game and that is the intention, right from the first minute.”
Shandong Luneng have similarly been struggling in their domestic competition, as Sydney did, currently sitting on the wrong side of relegation in the Chinese Super League so far this season with just two wins from ten games.
But the Shandong outfit isn’t to be underestimated, having finished third in the Super League just last year, as well as already having a pair of trips to the ACL quarter finals on their resume.
After a scoreless draw over the weekend in the Chinese Super League, Shandong Luneng coach Mano Menezes was grilled by the Chinese media about his side’s chances in the ACL, especially away from home.
“We have been playing better away from home and if we have a little luck then we can win,” said Menezes about the trip south.
“Playing in Asia and playing in the league are different. The players have confidence.”
With their request to get their league game postponed to prepare for this game denied last week, Shandong had to play a lackluster zip all draw between ACL fixtures, not the ideal preparation at all, and no doubt a result that has hurt their confidence a touch.
Prediction
If you looked at either side’s domestic league standings coming into the tournament then you wouldn’t expect them to even be at this stage, but both teams have been in top form throughout the ACL and the 1-1 draw proved how equal they are.
Shandong look to be the underdog coming into this one, with travel and recent form going against them. Look for a relatively tight Sydney win.
Sydney FC to win by 1 goal, 2-1.
Can Sydney FC keep their maiden run past the group stages alive with a historic result at home? Or will Shandong Luneng crash the party and advance to the quarter finals? Catch all the live highlights and ACL action on The Roar from 8pm (AEST).
Bob Brown
Roar Guru
Great game with lots happening. Sydney tried very hard and didn't actually lose it in the end, so they can hold their heads up, especially with so many juniors on the pitch. The guy who was fouled for the red card was actually offside and it should have been a free kick to SFC on the 6 yard line instead. You can't get through international competitions like this if you ball watch and let these guys have free shots on goal. Both Sydney and Melbourne guilty of defensive lapses that cost them the game. Australian defenders need to be a whole lot more aggressive and be in their faces all the time. I hope the Socceroos don't let the English strikers have so much room on the ball and free shots at goal like that.
marron
Guest
Half.... :/
Connor Bennett
Editor
Well Australia's foray into the Asian Champions League is over, with Melbourne and Sydney now out of contention. As always, cheers to everyone for sticking around and those who dropped a comment here and there, it's always a joy to get the reactions and opinions.
Connor Bennett
Editor
Thanks mate, it makes it easy with games like this with plenty going on, and I don't have to start rambling on with garbage to fill the time hahah
Connor Bennett
Editor
The red card was deserved, especially after looking at the replays, but did he save a goal by pulling him down? It's hard to know how to react to his departure with the end result as it is. Having one less man at the back certainly didn't help though
Connor Bennett
Editor
Janjetovic is my pick for man of the match. Just a superb performance with the gloves tonight, denying Brazilian maestro Tardelli on two or three occasions with just the finger tips
Connor Bennett
Editor
Two absolute pearler's on goal should be noted. Rhyan Grant's angle crushing masterpiece from the right edge of the box sent the roof flying off the stadium. Then the 90th minute Junmin bullet to seal the draw and the quarter finals berth, just muscled it with pure power as far in the top corner as a ball can go.
Connor Bennett
Editor
A lot of speculation on the referee tonight with some pretty up and down form with the whistle. A high pressure game no doubt, and this isn't a bias because Sydney lost, but both sides copped some wrong decisions throughout the night
Connor Bennett
Editor
I did miss a couple of yellow cards in the dying minutes of injury time, both against Shandong for time wasting, but there was so much action going on it was hard to keep up
Midfielder
Guest
Anderson will be popular in the sheds tonight ..
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Great call, Connor
AGO74
Guest
Oh that hurts.....
Connor Bennett
Editor
Goals, cards, aggression, fights, spot kicks, great saves, drama, action, emotion... this game packed it all into 93 minutes of football
Midfielder
Guest
so close
Connor Bennett
Editor
FULLTIME The whistle finally blows and it's celebration for Shandong, heartbreak for Sydney. What an incredible game of football that was indeed. Sydney FC - 2 Shandong - 2
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +3 Another chance up front for the sky blues. Ninkovic fires in a long cross from the left edge but it's too deep and the frustration grows for Graham Arnold on the sideline Sydney FC - 2 Shandong - 2
Willis
Guest
Thanks CB. well covered.
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +2 Well holding on has turned into desperation for Sydney. They're sending every man and their dog... and then their dogs dog, up front to steal something in the dying minutes Sydney FC - 2 Shandong - 2
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' +3 minutes of stoppage time Sydney FC - 2 Shandong - 2
Connor Bennett
Editor
90' GOAL SHANDONG!!! Would you believe it!!! This game takes yet another crazy turn, and possibly it's last. Hao Junmin at the top of the box, with nothing going on. Takes a touch and just fires an absolute bullet towards the net. No matter how well Janjetovic is playing, there was no stopping that absolute peach into the top right corner. Sydney FC - 2 Shandong - 2